Author: idmdesign

Utopia is delighted to have won the Best Modern Bathroom Range category in the Ideal Home Best Bathroom Awards 2024 with its new Qube Collection.

Qube is a stunning range of wall mounted, fitted and freestanding bathroom furniture offering contemporary chic to suit all budgets. It’s a versatile collection of beautifully designed elements that can be combined to create unique, personalised bathroom solutions that are as good looking as they are practical.

Helen Clark, Head of Marketing at Utopia, explains further “With new Qube we are offering a beautiful, on-trend bathroom solution at an extremely affordable price point. In effect, it’s that designer look for less and, crucially, available on a very quick turn round too. Storage, so essential in any bathroom, has never been so stylish. Winning this prestigious award is welcome confirmation that Qube offers a stunning contemporary design solution for each and every bathroom, no matter how big or small.”

Utopia has announced the appointment of industry expert Gary Matthews as Sales Director.

Gary has over 30 years’ experience in the industry, having held senior roles with leading brands such as Grohe, Ideal Standard and, more recently, Duravit where he was Sales Director.

Commenting on the new appointment, Dave Conn, Joint Managing Director at Utopia, said “Gary is the perfect choice to head up our sales team. He knows the industry very well and is well placed to build on our already strong position at the forefront of the bathroom sector. With his wealth of experience and network of key contacts, Gary will be able to hit the ground running in his new role at Utopia.”

Gary comments “Utopia is such a pioneering, dynamic force in the industry, I am absolutely delighted to be part of the team taking the company forward. Knowing many of Utopia’s retail partners already is a massive advantage and I look forward to building on these relationships as well as forging new business opportunities for Utopia.”  

Leading bathroom furniture manufacturer Utopia Furniture Limited is the latest manufacturer to join the National Building Specification and list its products on NBS Source, the manufacturer product platform.

As Helen Clark, Head of Marketing at Utopia, explains “We have had a thriving Contracts division at Utopia for more than three decades.  Keen to expand our reach further amongst building professionals, we have chosen NBS Source to target specifiers looking for best-in-class product and specification data when working on construction projects. We recognise the importance of architects and specifiers being able to find our products at crucial stages of the construction journey, and being a part of NBS Source gives us peace of mind that we’re available to them when it matters most.”

NBS Source will give Utopia the ability to build and maintain relationships with architects and specifiers throughout the whole construction journey, resulting in a much smoother and more collaborative process, a proposition that saves valuable time and resources, and increases the likelihood of a product being selected.

A leading manufacturer of beautiful bathrooms for 35 years, Utopia designs and manufactures all its furniture in the UK.  The specialist Contracts team, led by Chris Hewitt, works closely with builders and developers from concept to completion on projects to supply innovative and on-trend bathroom solutions.

View Utopia NBS Source listing https://shorturl.at/estxZ.

For further information about Utopia Contracts, visit www.utopiagroup.com or contact contractsupport@utopiagroup.com.

Utopia was delighted to welcome bathroom retailers, supply partners and installers to its Wolverhampton headquarters last week as part of a four day open house. Designed to coincide with retailers visiting the KBB exhibition, Utopia used the event to present a large number of new products as well as previewing exciting new collections scheduled for launch later in the year.

Utopia’s extensive showroom was dramatically updated for the event with 22 brand new displays showcasing new additions to the company’s extensive collection. It was also the ideal opportunity in conjunction with activities at KBB 2024 to present the new Innovation in Motion collaboration featuring FurnSpin technology in partnership with Hettich UK.

Commenting on the success of the event, Helen Clark, Head of Marketing at Utopia, said “We always embrace opportunities to see our retail partners face to face on site and it was really encouraging to see their enthusiastic reaction to our latest products. Their informed opinion is invaluable, too, so it was an excellent opportunity to give them a sneak preview of our current new product development plans.”

Continuing, Helen said “We had such positive feedback after the event with comments including “Great range of new products, colours and love new Geo”, “Amazing showroom, I now want to redesign ours” and “Really relaxed day and tour, lots of new ideas”.”

As well as showcasing its entire product range through more than 60 inspirational displays, Utopia sees its spacious showroom as an extension of retailers’ own showrooms and is always happy to welcome retail partners and their customers on site by appointment should they wish to view a particular range they don’t currently have on display.

Following on from last year’s successful launch of the Qube Collection of modular and freestanding bathroom furniture, Utopia has now expanded the offering and introduced fitted and freestanding fitted furniture options into the range.

Key features of the expanded range include style, flexibility, quality and ‘Made in Britain’ assurance along with the existing quick delivery despatch service within 48 hours, which has been extended to cover the new additions. Commenting on this strategic range extension, Helen Clark, Head of Marketing at Utopia, says “Our latest Qube offering presents the retailer and consumer with a compelling solution to incorporate bathroom furniture into their home, offering endless opportunities to create a completely unique combination from the multitude of beautifully co-ordinating elements available. Now, with the addition of fitted and freestanding fitted ranges, there really is a Qube style for everyone. ”

A new simplified ordering system makes it much easier for the retailer to sell and order, while the new 48 hour despatch service option available to the retailer at no extra charge is strengthened through an increased product offering available quickly, perfect for supply only businesses in particular.

The Qube Freestanding Fitted and Fitted ranges are available to order now in the new Qube Edge doorstyle, with the option for a top mounted handle.

The full collection can be mixed and matched and offers seven on trend finishes, including deep Indigo Blue and verdant Wild Green reflecting current trends in interior design for bold colours and two sophisticated matt finishes – Matt White and Matt Grey, joining White Gloss and two textured finishes, Anthracite Strata and Sorrento Walnut.  As usual with Utopia, consumer samples of all finishes are available free of charge.

For more information visit https://www.utopiagroup.com/qube

Through the work of the Liz Green Remembrance Fund, Utopia is delighted to continue supporting charities close to its heart. The charity was set up in Liz’s name to benefit two national cancer charities, Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support, as well as local causes in the Wolverhampton area.

Through a series of fundraising events, the company is pleased to have donated throughout the year to the two cancer charities along with Compton Care, a local hospice providing specialist palliative and bereavement support for people living with life limiting conditions, and The Good Shepherd, a Wolverhampton based charity supporting disadvantaged people. This charity pledges to end homelessness, support recovery, and create pathways out of poverty.

In addition, Utopia has also donated lots of brand new clothes to Compton Care to enable them to raise even further funds and the proceeds from the end of year Christmas jumper day and raffle will also go to this charity.

Ian Hall, Joint MD and also Liz Green’s brother, comments “We’re delighted to have supported these four charities throughout 2023 as part of our ongoing activities. In doing so, it’s also a very positive way for us to honour Liz’s memory.”

Corr, Utopia’s brand new sanitaryware collection, has been designed and engineered without compromise and makes a welcome addition to the Utopia portfolio of products, according to Richard Shore, Utopia’s Head of Product Design. He continues “We are delighted to be launching this brand-new collection, available now to our customers. Its understated elegance and contemporary styling is not only timeless in design but bursting with practical and ergonomic USPs and is therefore the perfect complement to many of our furniture collections.”

To suit all installations, and in keeping with Utopia’s heritage of making the most of UK bathroom spaces, there are three stylish, thin rimmed semi-recessed basins in the collection, making it the perfect choice no matter whatever the available space. Whether it be a compact cloakroom solution, short projection when space is tight or a standard semi recessed basin, Corr offers all options.

The Corr WC range echoes the same styling of the basins to form a perfectly co-ordinated suite but works equally well in any situation. In addition to the stunning appearance, the WCs are packed with features in a space-saving short projection format. The three styles include back to wall, close-coupled and wall hung options, all featuring a rimless design which has been engineered to optimize water usage and flushing efficiency. This easy clean feature is also very hygienic as there is nowhere for bacteria to collect.  Concealed fixings and a slimline, soft close seat complete the neat, streamlined appearance.

Corr joins the existing family of five ceramic collections from Utopia, alongside a host of sit on basin options, making it the perfect range for all bathroom requirements.

Utopia is adding nine new decors to its collection of 22mm laminate worktops, strengthening an already comprehensive collection and giving customers greater choice and even more design opportunities.

Inspired by natural materials such as stone and wood, the new effects span a range of colours from light granite and marble-inspired options through to metallic veining and dark, alluring effects. This season’s new collection is all about patterns and tones and has been carefully selected to sit alongside existing and new additions to Utopia’s door finishes. The new decors also meet the growing demand from those wishing to achieve either a unicolour look when choosing a woodgrain option or a bold contrast.

Launching this Autumn, the new decors are Dark Monolith, Dorchester Oak, Igneous Spark, Interstellar, Light Callisto, Marquina, Moon Rock, Rift Grey and Sorrento Walnut, and can all be seen in Utopia’s latest brochures.

Helen Clark, Head of Marketing at Utopia, states “Through our extensive collection we are able to capture all the visual appeal of natural marble, granite and wood effects in a durable, easy care format that’s also extremely practical, too. With 19 decors now available, the consumer has plenty of choice in adding that vital finishing touch to their bathroom design.”

Utopia is delighted to welcome Gary Porter as its new Business Development Manager for South London and the South East.

With over 25 years of experience in the bathroom industry, Gary has held sales positions with Heritage, Kohler Mira and Gerberit during his career. He joins Utopia from Novellini UK where he was an Area Sales Manager.

Commenting on his new role at Utopia, Gary said “I am so looking forward to representing this industry-leading company, working with both new and existing contacts. I’m very keen to play my part in ensuring Utopia remains at the forefront of this exciting and fast-moving sector of the industry.”

Welcoming Gary to Utopia, Joint MD Ian Hall, said “Gary’s undoubted experience and expertise will be vital as we seek to consolidate our position as the brand leader in the bathroom furniture sector. He joins us at a perfect time as we launch yet more exciting, innovative products and we are confident he has all the skills to take Utopia forward in this key region.”

Four brand new additions to Utopia’s colour palette for this Autumn reflect the ongoing dominant trends for colour and texture in the bathroom.

Joining Utopia’s already extensive collection of door colours available across the Original Fitted, Symmetry, YOU and Geo ranges are Bay Green, Carbon Black, Dorchester Oak and Richmond Walnut.

Bay Green is a rich, sophisticated colour intensified by its silky matt finish, particularly stunning when teamed with woodgrains and brass accessories, while the dramatic Carbon Black is a deep version of charcoal, a statement finish perfectly pitched to complement and accent other decors in the range.

Additionally, in response to tremendous demand for realistic, natural woodgrains, joining the collection is Dorchester Oak, a timeless classic with a golden tone and a light grain texture. The addition of a new carcass and 22mm laminate worktop in the same finish allows the consumer the freedom to create a completely harmonious look or to mix and match. Richmond Walnut offers a bolder, darker option with a striking vertical grain detail, equally at home in a vintage or contemporary setting.

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Helen Clark, Head of Marketing at Utopia, comments “Anticipating trends in terms of colour and finish is a key part of our product development programme. Our carefully curated collection of colours and finishes is continually evolving so that we can offer our customers a vast portfolio of colours and finishes to choose from plus the option to combine them for a truly personal design scheme.”  

To help consumers design their dream bathroom, Utopia offers a free sample service for all finishes and tiles. This, combined with Visualise, Utopia’s online planning tool, allows the consumer to explore all eleven furniture collections, experimenting with colours and combinations in the comfort of their own home until they create their ideal bathroom.